BIG SAM HAILS MAC’S MIRACLE
Moa insists McNamara’s revival of Catalans is nothing short of ‘PHENOMENAL’
CATALANS prop Sam Moa has hailed “phenomenal” Steve McNamara after admitting even the Dragons players doubted they could overturn their shocking start to the season.
The French side won just two of their first 11 matches and were facing a second straight relegation scrap after winning last year’s Million Pound Game.
But having secured their Super League safety by making the top eight, the Dragons take on Warrington in Saturday’s Challenge Cup final looking to win their first trophy.
And Moa, who also worked with McNamara at Sydney Roosters, says the former England coach was the one man who never wavered from his beliefs even in the toughest times. He told Mirror Sport: “At no point did I sense any hesitation on his behalf.
“We had won two from 11 games and as players, we were extremely frustrated losing.
“But to see your coach stand up and say it’s going to be alright, say we’re going to make a plan now to reach the final and we’re going to win and change everything, that shows a lot of character. His impact has been quite phenomenal really.
“We had a lot of changes this year and were optimistic with how we would go, but there were times when us players were doubting how it was happening when we were losing.
“But Steve always stuck strong and was always the one person that was confident that things were somehow going to change. He was always positive and to his credit we were able to respond.
“A couple of good signings were made during the year, we got on a bit of a roll and now we’re at Wembley.”
Moa believes McNamara’s influence at the Dragons will extend well beyond the final – but is now focused on beating a Warrington side that have lifted the trophy three times since 2009.
Moa said: “It’s going to be one hell of a final. If both teams bring their A games it’s going to be like two big bulls going head-to-head.
“We like to play physical and so do they, and whichever pack dominates will go a long way to deciding the game.”
McNamara is confident semi-final man of the match Tony Gigot will overcome the ankle injury that saw him withdraw from Saturday’s 35-6 defeat to Wigan in the warm-up, while Brayden Wiliame (neck) is also expected to be fit.